Match Preview: Blackpool FC v Watford FC
Blackpool and Head Coach Michael Appleton have had a difficult start to the Sky Bet Championship season. After beating Reading in their first game, they have only won twice since and are now four games without a win.
The Seasiders will take heart from a point against Sunderland on Tuesday (October 4), which ended a three-game losing streak. Blackpool will be looking to improve on their performance against the Hornets at Bloomfield Road.
Half-time: 0️⃣-2️⃣
Full-time: 7️⃣-2️⃣Our last meeting with Blackpool was one to remember! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/cqSWAiQxlN
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) October 7, 2022
This is Blackpool’s first league match with Watford since January 2015, when the Seasiders led 2-0 at halftime only to lose 7-2.
Watford’s 4-0 win against Stoke City in their last away league game, their first of the season, means the Hornets might win consecutive league games on the road for the first time since March 2021.
Blackpool are attempting to win their first league game against Watford since August 2013.
Defender William Troost-Ekong is available for Everton after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained while on international duty with Nigeria. Both Francisco Sierralta and Mario Gaspar were taken off with groin injuries against Swansea in midweek, and although the former will be checked ahead of the trip to Blackpool, the latter will be ruled out. Craig Cathcart (thigh) is still out after missing the last two games, while both Joo Pedro (calf) and Kortney Hause (knee) will be out at Bloomfield Road.
🛣 The Hornets are Blackpool bound for our next fixture. pic.twitter.com/MzCQAACMVD
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) October 7, 2022
For Blackpool, Kenny Dougall will be suspended on Saturday after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season last time out. Other than that, Appleton is expecting to have a similar squad to the one in midweek.
This is Blackpool’s first league match with Watford since January 2015, when the Seasiders led 2-0 at halftime only to lose 7-2. In the past 12 Football League games between the Hornets (24) and the Seasiders (18), 42 goals have been scored – an average of 3.5 per game – with teams scoring three or more goals on five occasions. Blackpool are seeking their first league victory over Watford since August 2013, when they prevailed 1-0 thanks to a Tom Ince goal. The Golden Boys have won all three of their league meetings with the Tangerines. Only against Bristol Rovers do they have a longer winning streak against a Football League team.
🗣 Team news and more from Slaven Bilić ahead of our trip to Blackpool.#WatfordFC pic.twitter.com/xsOeLrInld
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) October 7, 2022
Slaven Bilić, Watford Head Coach: “Obviously we weren’t happy with the result on Wednesday against Swansea City, and after watching the game again it’s the same emotions and opinions. The good thing about the Championship is that you don’t have time to be down, or to cry about the game. The next opportunity comes really quick. Blackpool are a typical Championship side – stubborn, good in transition, they run, they fight and they have pace. Of course, we’re going to have to match that.”
Michael Appleton, Blackpool Head Coach: “I think there’s a confidence that the players have picked up over the last two games regardless of only picking one point up. You see it when they come into the building, and certainly when they’ve trained. Clearly, Watford are tough opponents. They’re a physical side, very athletic and have a lot of men in the team. They have players that are very durable, that have been playing at a Premier League level for a number of years. I think when you look at the group, it’s difficult not to look past the front three or four with the quality they have got. But at the same time, we are the home team, we want to take the game to them when we get the opportunity to, and we want to come out with a good account of ourselves.”
https://twitter.com/BlackpoolFC/status/1578461406470471681?s=20&t=F6aSRWZVvUXJ6k1XVjlOjQ
Head-To-Head
- Won: 9
- Drawn: 9
- Lost: 7
⏪ A penalty save from Matt Gilks and a superb, solo goal from Tom Ince.
🎥 Here's how Blackpool picked up their last home victory against Watford in August 2013.
🍊 #UTMP
— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) October 7, 2022
Last Six Results:
- January 2015: Watford 7-2 Blackpool (Championship)
- September 2014: Blackpool 0-1 Watford (Championship)
- March 2014: Watford 4-0 Blackpool (Championship)
- August 2013: Blackpool 1-0 Watford (Championship)
- March 2013: Watford 1-2 Blackpool (Championship)
- November 2012: Blackpool 2-2 Watford (Championship)
Watford’s last encounter with Blackpool was in 2015. It was a goal feast, with nine goals scored, including four from Odion Ighalo. The Hornets defeated the Seasiders 7-2 and earned promotion at the end of the season.
